my understanding of ‘bush whacking’ here in the states is forging one’s own path through the brush…. going off the trail and exploring…. so naturally, a bush whacker is one that does just that. I suppose it can’t be too terribly different down (and over) there though~

We use bush whacking here just as sweetpotatoclaire describes. It may have come from Australia, but I’ve been using it since I was a little kid (since I’ve been doing it since I was a little kid). I was never one to follow a trail. The stuff off-trail is always much more interesting.

I have come across the term bush whacking twice tonight.. Im a true blue Aussie and have never heard of it! Although I wouldn’t completely rule it out as Australian slang! We do say some strange things!

ha! well I suppose it all depends on who you’re talking to~ perhaps if it’s to a group of, um, teenage boys then yes there’s another perhaps bit less savory definition I know of…. but for the most part, I hear it used as described above~ going off trail in the woods with maybe a map or compass, perhaps even a machete, depending on who and where and when you are……